PITTSBURGH — The body of a 35-year-old husband and father who had been reported missing was found near the railroad tracks in Station Square Thursday afternoon, police confirmed.
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Ronald Yancoskie had last been seen Wednesday around 7 p.m. in downtown Pittsburgh. Earlier in the day Thursday, the Dormont Police Department asked for the public's help in locating him.
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Ronald Yancoskie's wife, Jessica Yancoskie, told Channel 11's Joe Holden Thursday that he went to the Pittsburgh Pirates game Wednesday afternoon.
Jim Graves, a former fraternity brother of Ronald Yancoskie, happened to run in to him near the ballpark. "I went for a walk at lunchtime and was walking around PNC Park and just happened to pass him on the street," Graves told Channel 11's Courtney Brennan Friday. "It was the first time I saw him in a little while, and just stopped, shook his hand and asked, 'How's your kid? Everything's good?' And he was smiling like he always was."
After the game, Jessica Yancoskie said her husband went to dinner at Sienna Mercado downtown with work colleagues. She said her husband then walked to the nearby Doubletree with a colleague.
Jessica Yancoskie said her husband's cellphone appeared to have died. She thought he might be staying out for the evening.
"He's never done this type of thing before. This is very out of character for him," she told Holden shortly before receiving word that the body of her husband, and father of their 7-month-old son, Preston, had been found.
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Jessica Yancoskie and Ronald Yancoskie's sister told Holden he had a routine and was very much somebody who would check in.
"Ron sent me a text message from the game -- a picture, I can't wait to see you or can't wait to take you and Preston to the game a couple Saturdays from now," Jessica Yancoskie said.
Eric Zdenek, who was a fraternity brother of Ronald Yancoskie and Graves at Clarion University, remained friends with Ronald Yancoskie for the last 16 years.
"Ron was a great guy, a great family man, a good friend to both old and new," Zdenek told Brennan. "I have an 8-month-old daughter who is one month older than Ron's son, Preston. So, it really hits home for me."
Officials said a train conductor reported Ronald Yancoskie's body to have been found along the tracks shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday.
Ronald Yancoskie worked as a buyer for Heinz. The company released the following statement: "Ron will be deeply missed within Heinz as a beloved colleague and friend. We are all mourning his tragic loss."
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police said Thursday night that it is investigating Ronald Yancoskie's death, which preliminarily appears to have been accidental. Surveillance video is being reviewed.
An autopsy was performed Friday, but the medical examiner is awaiting toxicology results before releasing a cause of death.
A memorial fund has been established to help Ronald Yancoskie's wife and son. [Click HERE.]
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